Category Archives: Epidemiology
Is sexual risk behaviour associated with an increased risk of transfusion-transmissible infections in blood donors from Western and Pacific countries? A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The donor medical questionnaire is designed to aid blood establishments in supporting a safe blood supply. According to blood donor deferral policies, sexual risk behaviour (SRB) leads...
Cryptococcal antigenemia and its predictors among HIV infected patients in resource limited settings: A systematic review
BACKGROUND: Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic fungal infection that primarily affects people with advanced HIV/AIDS and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality around the globe. By far the most...
The prevalence of cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) and benefits of pre-emptive antifungal treatment among HIV-infected persons with CD4+ T-cell counts < 200 cells/muL: Evidence based on a meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Current WHO guidelines (2018) recommend screening for cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) in HIV-infected persons with CD4+ T cell counts< 100 cells/muL, followed by pre-emptive antifungal therapy among CrAg positive (CrAg+)...
Cryptococcal meningitis: A review of cryptococcal antigen screening programs in Africa
INTRODUCTION: Cryptococcal meningitis remains a significant contributor to AIDS-related mortality despite widened access to antiretroviral therapy. Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) can be detected in the blood prior to development of meningitis....
Clostridium difficile in immunocompromised hosts: A review of epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, and prevention
Clostridium difficile is a significant pathogen in healthcare today, impacting both hospitalized and community-based patients. Immunocompromised patients experience a high incidence of C. difficile infection, ranging from 6% to 33%...
Impact of male circumcision on risk of HIV infection in men in a changing epidemic context — Systematic review and meta-analysis
INTRODUCTION: WHO/UNAIDS recommended Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision in 2007 based on systematic review of observational studies prior to 1999 and three randomized controlled trials (RCTs). To inform updated WHO guidance,...
Use of the multiplier method to estimate the size of populations most at risk of human immunodeficiency virus infection in China: A systematic review
OBJECTIVE: United Nations Programme on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and World Health Organization believe that some of the benchmark numbers collected may be inaccurate when using the multiplier...
HIV nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men: A systematic review and meta-analysis of global data
HIV nonoccupational postexposure prophylaxis (nPEP) has been prescribed to men who have sex with men (MSM) for decades, but the global situation of nPEP implementation among this population remains unclear....
Dental care as a risk factor for transfusion transmissible infections in blood donors: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The deferral policy for blood donation after dental care is based on the precautionary principle. The aim of this systematic review is to give an overview of...
Childhood tuberculosis treatment outcome and its association with HIV co-infection in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: Tuberculosis is the second leading cause of death from an infectious disease worldwide, next to HIV. Hence, initiating and determining the national tuberculosis treatment program and outcome is crucial....
